Southern Stampede falls just short of title

NORTH AUGUSTA — Ahmed Hill sat in the chair, his head down and covered by his jersey, as others patted him on his shoulder to cheer him up.

The Aquinas star’s Southern Stampede team had a thrilling but disappointing end to their Peach Jam experience, falling 66-65 in double overtime to Team Texas Titans in Sunday afternoon’s 16 & Under championship game at North Augusta’s Riverview Park Activities Center.

“We played really good,” Hill said. “We fought.”

Hill scored a team-high 18 points and added eight rebounds in the loss. Fighting Irish teammate Mike Scott scored two points and had a pair of assists – including one on a Hill basket – in 10 minutes of action.

Hill, who will be a junior this upcoming school year, helped rally his team, which was once down 13 points.

During the comeback bid, Hill dunked, hit a 3-pointer and later hit two foul shots with 3.2 seconds remaining to force overtime.

In the extra period, the Southern Stampede were seconds away from a win but their foes beat the horn to extend the game.

In the second overtime, King McClure scored Team Texas Titans’ four points – part of his game-high 26 points – but he missed the front end of a one-and-one. Team Texas Titans’ missed several free throws in the second half, which helped open the door for a Southern Stampede rally.

But this miss didn’t hurt, as the Stampede couldn’t come up with a game-winner.

It was a sour end to the week for the Stampede, who won an exciting two-point game in Friday night’s semifinal to reach the title game.

Though stung by the loss, Hill appreciated the fan support for the team made up of players from Georgia and South Carolina.

“They were pulling for us,” Hill said. “There were a lot of people. It felt really good.”